Moving to Spain from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Sao Tome and Principe to Spain? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Spain, and you’d need to navigate life in Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Sao Tome and Principe to Spain.

Moved in 2019
9 ↑ 200% vs 2018

people moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Spain · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Spain?

Top countries of origin for Spain's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Spain compared to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
ES
0.7
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
ES
3.5

Spain performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
ES
$4,935
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
ES
44.8

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Spain leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

ST
85.0
ES
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
ES
4.5t

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on environment, though Spain leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

ST
2.0
ES
36.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
ES
43.2%

Spain generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
ES
12.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
ES
$46,400

Spain performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ST
67.1 yrs
ES
82.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
ES
2.5

Spain generally does better on family life, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Sao Tome and Principe and Spain. To live, work, or study long-term in Spain, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Spain's immigration authority.

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Spain

Visa Required
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders need a visa to enter Spain.
Spain passport

Spain passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Free
Spain passport holders can enter Sao Tome and Principe without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Spain?

Connectivity is usually fine (Spain: 36.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Spain offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Spain safe for expats?

Spain performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Spain is 0.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

How is healthcare in Spain compared to Sao Tome and Principe?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Spain leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 44.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Spain, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Spain scores 85 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Spain?

The official languages in Spain are Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST ES
Population 217,164 47,163,418
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Euro (€)
Languages Portuguese Basque, Catalan, Galician, Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +34
Time zones 1 2
Emergency number 112